MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) Review Mission Monday held meetings with Chairman National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Justice Ali Nawaz Chohan, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir and top officials of Climate Change Division to discuss progress on the targets agreed between the government and the EU on 27 Conventions linked to GSP Plus.

Since January 2014, Pakistan has benefited from the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus regime, which has given considerable boost to Pakistan’s exports to the EU. In order to maintain GSP+ Pakistan has to effectively implement 27 core international conventions on human and labour right, environmental protection and good governance.

Well-informed sources told Business Recorder that the EU delegation raised questions regarding human rights situation in different parts of the country with the Chairman NCHR. The EU Mission was informed that Pakistan was passing through a critical phase after the operation against terrorists and human rights in Pakistan was not as bas as was being reported.

The European Union has expressed concern over the death penalty especially by the Military Courts and this issue has been raised at different forums.

The EU is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and the largest market for Pakistani exports. The overall EU-Pakistan trade volume reached €10.49 billion in 2015 up by 20.14 percent from 2013 with Pakistan enjoying a €1.6 billion surplus in the balance of trade with the EU.

According to sources, the EU Review Mission held meetings with the Commerce Minister on behalf of the Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali and sought clarification on the implementation status of 27 Conventions that Pakistan has already ratified.

The sources said, Attorney General informed the Review Mission that implementation on most of the Conventions was in progress with the help of provincial governments. However, pace of progress on few Conventions was slow and efforts are being made to expedite the process.

Ashtar Ausaf Ali had also visited EU headquarters in Brussels where he briefed Members of European Union, EU Commission and civil society on implementation of 27 Conventions.

He faced tough questions about human rights situation especially with reference to military operation in FATA at a public hearing largely attended by the members of the civil society. The EU is also working with civil society in Pakistan to reduce violence against women and children, support women’s political empowerment, prevent human trafficking, strengthen juvenile justice reform, and ensure the respect of the rights of minorities. 

The sources said EU is supporting the Government of Pakistan, in particular the Ministry of Human Rights, as well as civil society to deliver on Pakistan’s obligations under International Human Rights Law and protect, promote and fulfil human rights with a focus on women, children and religious minorities’.